Valve-lifting device



Oct. 12 ,1926. 1,602,548

-' W. A. PFEIFFER VALVE LIFTING DEVICE Filed O t 1 1924 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

- 01272222222 .17. Pfczfi er ATTQRNEYJ Oct. 12 ,1926. v 1,602,548

V W. A. PFEIFFER VALVE LIFTING DEVICE Fil ed 00M 1 1924 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. PFEIFFEB, F CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO.

VALVE-LIFTING DEVICE.

- Application filed October 15, 1924. Serial No. 743,669.

This invention, as has been indicated, relates to valve spring lifters. More particularly it comprises an implement for simultaneously raising the sprii'igs surrounding a plurality of poppet valve stems of a gas engine to permit the removal of said valves and the cleaning and grinding thereof.

' In most instances a valve spring'lifter comprises an implement operating upon but n a single valve spring and a great deal of time is consumed in adjusting the device within the restricted space wherein such valves are located, particularly in automobile motors.

The principal object of the present invention is to improve valve spring lifting implements and to simplify the manufacture and use of the same. A further object of the invention is to provide a device which will simultaneously lift a. plurality of valve springs and will thereafter maintain them in compressed condition until the operations upon the valves and engine are completed. Other objects will appear in the course of the following description. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following 80 description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. lis a top plan view of the preferred form of spring lifter embodying the principle of the invention;'Fig. 2is a. fragmentary perspective view showing the preferred form of valve spring lifter, the slotted plate being omitted; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of one of the valve spring engaging elements secured in position upon a transverse bar, as shown in Fig. 2, the looking action of the thumb screw being directly against the upper surface of said bar; Fig. a is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the use of the slotted plate, the locking action being accomplished by the flanged head of the thumb screw against the upper surface of said plate; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the valve spring lifter; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 shown in Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 7 is a diagonal sectional view taken .shoulder 8 heretofore described.

foot plate 1 is adapted to rest upon the upper side of the crank case of an engine which normally constitutes the floor of the valve housing. Said plate preferably has an elongated forward portion or tongue 2 adapted to extend between the centrally positioned valves of the engine, which is provided with a set screw 3 at its inner end whereby said plate may be brought to a level position] The forward portion of said foot plate will rest upon the upstanding flange at the outer edge of the valve housing. Rotatably mounted upon the foot plate adjacent the enlarged body portion thereof, a screwthreaded standard 4 is provided. Said standard is provided with a hexagonal por-' tion 5 adjacent its lower end whereby it may be rotated in either direction for the adjustment of the mechanism hereinafter to be described. The threaded portion of the standard carries a transverse supporting block 6.. This block is provided adjacent its in-' nor portion with a screw-threaded vertical aperture 7 which co-operates with the screwthreaded portion of the standard and is beveled at each rearward corner for a purpose presently to be disclosed. The rearward upper surface of said block is of slightly greater height than the forward portion, providing a shoulder 8 at an intermediate position.

The body of said block extends forwardly from said standard and is provided on its under side with an upwardly beveled face 9 and on its upper side with a transverse rib 11 parallel to and in spaced'relation to the A trans verse keyway 12 is formed centrally through the forward extension of said block and is adapted to slidably receive a fin or a key it projecting from a transverse supporting bar 13.

A screw-threaded vertical opening 15 is formed at a. point centrally of said upstanding rib and is adapted to receive a thumb screw 16 having a flanged collar 17 The transverse bar is adjusted as desired, preferably to extend an equal distance to each side of said supporting block and carries in slid'able engagement therewith a plurality of valve spring engaging members 18, 19, 20, 21. As is clearly disclosed in the drawing these valve spring; engaging members are of two types the i ....er members 19, 20, disposed adjacent said supporting block having lateral forlr extensions 23, 24-, and the outer members 18, 21, havino' outwardly and .ppositely directed fork extensions 29, The inner members have body portions of greater width than the end members and the for r extensions thereof are provided with velc-d sides which adapt them to be drawn more closely against the beveled rearward corners of the central. supporting block.

The bony portions of each of the valve spring engaging memlcers are provided with beveled under faces similar to and in alignment with the beveled face of. said supporting; block and the upper surfaces thereof are provided wi h transverse integral ribs 26, 27, 28 29, in alignment with the rib on the upper surface of said supportin block.

The ribs 26 and on the upper surfaces of the end spring engaging members preferably do not extend completely across the same for a reason to be hereinafter explained. Through the body portions of each of said spring engaging; members vertical screw-threaded openings 31 are provid d parallel with the similar opening 15 through the central supporting block and flanged thumb screws 32 similar to the thumb screw 16 provided for said central supporting blocl: are adapted to be engaged in said vertical openings. The device. as thus far described is suitable for operation as a valve lifting; device under certain con ditions, the valve spring); engaging members being inserted beneath the valve springs by suitable longitudinal adjustment upon the transverse rod and being secured in position through the locking action of the thumb screws as illustrated in Fig. 3, the lower ends of which are adapted to contact with the upper surface of the transverse supporting; rod.

In order to strengthen the construction and simplify the adjustment of the various elements thereof it has been found desirable in some instances to place upon the upper surface of the valve spring engaging; members and the supporting bloclr a longitudinally slotted plate As is clearly shown in the drawing; this ilate preferably is of. a length similar to the length of the transverse supportingr rod and the slot 34 thereof is of a, size to engage over the transverse ribs upon the upper surface of each of said members. 'l he inner edge of said slotted plate is adapted to ride against the shoulder 8 provided on the supporting block and the ends of said slot are adapted to serve as stops when the end spring; supporting; rncmbers are moved outwardly to their extreme limit of outward adjustment. As has been ribcd. This permits of clamping: ad- .l t

acre i sc; lockinginei through the action 0 rue flanged collars i idjacent their i poi L tions when the slotted plate is use 7 and lock, through the contact of their lower ends directly againstthe transverse bar. when said plate is dispensed \r'lbll.

In the form of construction net desc porl giving; ample clearance for said Silland cdequate space for its associated menu bers to perform their necessary functions.

the form of construction disclosed in Figs. 5, 6. and T, the stand rd 41 is positioned in substantial alignn'ient with the centers of the verve springs. in said construction a substantially square foot plate 4-52 is provided on which said standail is rotatably mounted. A supporting" block 4-3 screw-threadedly engaged upon the upper end of said standard and an actuating hexaggonal portion 44 is formed adjacent its lower end. The supporting block is provided with. a transverse opening; 45 to receive a cylindrical rod 46, and the outer upper surfac of said supporting; bloch. is cut away to provide a shoulder 4-? adjacent the central portion thereof. A. longitudinally extending slotted plate -18 is adapted to be secured across the outer portion of said su porting; block by means of a stud il-9 having its lower end securely mounted in said block and having its upper end proiectinn; through the longitudinal slot of said plate. A nut 51 on the screw-threaded upper end of said stud serves to lock said transverse plate in any desired position of adjustment. a downwardly extending rib F2 is provided on the under side of said plate :nd is of a size to GI'IQIRQG a transverse groove fo. ined in said block adjacent its forward edge. The lower face of said. supporti ltcl: is preferably beveled to provide ready accuse to the adjusting head of said standard.

As clearly shown in Fig. .6. a plurality of valve spring; members 55, 56, 57, are slidably mounted upon d transverse rod and m: be secured in locking eneasement. with said transversely extending) plate. Each of said valve spring engagino members comprises 1: lody portion trsz:

versely apertured to fit over said supporting rod and a fork portion projecting forwardly thereof. The upper surface of said body portions are provided with transverse grooves 53 in alignment with the groove 53 in the upper face of the supporting block, which grooves receive the longitudinal rib 52 on the under side of the Plotted plate. In each of said blocks a stud 59 is rigidly mounted in a position to pass through the longitudinal slot of said transversely extending plate and a wing nut 60 is engaged over the screwthreaded upper end of said stud. The fork portions of the valve spring engaging members project in alignment with the body portions thereof in the case of each of the two centrally disposed members 55, 56, and are turned outwardly and oppositely at right angles to said body portions in the case of the two end members 54, 57.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a simplified form of construction may be utilized to operate upon two adjacent valve springs, said device comprising a base plate 61 upon which a screw threaded standard 62 is rotatably mounted, said standard having a hexagonal portion 63 adjacent its lower end whereby the same may be rotated. The upper end of said standard is screw-threadedly engaged within central aperture of a sup porting collar G l. Said supporting collar is provided with flanges at either side adapted to support the side edges of a slotted valve spring engaging member 65. Said member is provided at one end with a longitudinally extending valve spring engaging fork 66 and at its opposite end with. a laterally extending valve spring engaging fork 67. The extreme corner of the laterally turned fork is provided with an upturning lip 68. The device is placed in position by first engaging the longitudinally extending fork about its adjacent valve stem and beneath the spring and then moving the laterally extending fork beneath the spring surrounding the adjoining valve stem. The lip 68 uponthe laterally extending fork will engage behind the spring and prevent the outward movement of the plate when the valve springs are com pressed through the rotation of the standard, as in the case of the other forms of construction. The central slot formed in the plate permits theneeessary lateral adjustment to position the standard centrally between the valve springs.

In the form of construction disclosed in Figs. 1 and 5, it is obvious that the device is adapted for the simultaneous raising of four valve springs. To place the device in position the foot plate is carefully adjusted to a firm seating upon the upper wall of the crank case. In the form disclosed in Fig. 1 the screw in the rearward end of the tongue is turned until the device is properly leveled. The forks of the two central members are then passed beneath the valve springs of the centrally positioned valves of the engine and the outermost valve spring engaging members are moved laterally to engage the same with their adjacent springs. The thumb ticrews,'or wing nuts, are then turned to clamping adjustment and the hexagonal portion of the screw-threaded standard is actuated. When the desired degree of compression has been produced the locking means associating the valve springs with the valve stems is detached and the valves are then free to be withdrawn. When any necessary operations upon the valves, such as grind ing or reseating, are completed, the locking elements may be restored prior to the release'of the springs.

Thus it will be noted that with a single implement four valves may be simultaneously handled. It will also appear that but a single spring compressing operation is necessary for the completion of the release and readjustment of the locking devices o-peratively associating the springs with the valve stems. The valve springs when under compression will have no tendency to move sidewise, the valve stem guides serving to center the upper ends thereof and the forks being perfectly level and maintaining said springs in compressed, condition and free from the danger of lateral movement.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as re gards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1.v An apparatus of the character de-- scribed comprising a vertical standarl, a supporting member adjustably engaged therewith, and a transverse member extending through and laterally adjustable with respect to said supporting member and pro vided with a plurality of valve spring engaging elements.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a vertical standard, a supporting member adjustably engaged therewith, and a transversely extending member laterally adjustable with respect to said supporting member and provided with a plurality of valve spring engaging elements each movable laterally independently of said transversely extending member.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising a vertical standard, a supporting member adjustably engaged therewith, and a transversely extending member laterally adjustable with respect to said supporting member and provided with a plurality of valve spring engaging fork members, the end fork members being turned at right angles to the intermediate fork members and oppositely to each other.

An apparatus of the character described comprising vertical standard, a supporting member adjustably engaged therewith, and a transversely extending member laterally adjustable with respect to said supporting niemlwr and provided with a plural ty of valve spring engaging fork members, each movable laterally independently of said transversely extendii' member, and the end fork members being turned at right angles to the intermediate fork men'ibers and oppositely to each other.

in an apparatus of the character described, the con'ibination oi": a base plate, a screiv-tlueaded standard rotatably mounted on said base plate, a support screwhreadedly engaged upon said standa'd and adjusta le vertically through the rotation of said standard and extending to one side thereof, a transverse n'ieinber extending through and engaged with the projecting iortion of said support. and valve spring engaging means adjustably supported upon said transversely extending member.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a base plate, a scre\v-threaded standard rotatably mountet on said base plate, a support screw-threadedly engaged upon said standard and ad justable vertically through the rotation of said standard and extending to one side thereof. a transversely extending member engaged with the projecting portion of said support, valve spring engaging means adjustably supported upon said transversely extending member, and means for locking said last-named means in adjusted position.

In an apparatus of the character described, the con'ilfiination of a base plate, a screw-threaded standard rotatably mounted on said base plate, a support screw-threadedly engaged upon said standard and adjustable vertically through the rotation of said standard and extending to one side thereof, a transversely extending member slidably but non-rotatably engaged with the projecting portion of said support, and valve spring engaging means adjustably supported upon said transversely extending members and adapted to be locked thereto in adjusted position.

S. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of a base plate, a screiv-tlnea iled standard rotatably mounted on said base plate, a support screw-thread cdly engaged upon. said standard and adjustable vertically by the rotation of said standard and extending to one side thereof, parallel transversely extending members en- With said support, and valve spring engaging means adjustably supported upon one of said transversely extending members and adapted to be locked to the other of said members.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the coin ination of a base plate, a screu threa(led s .audart. rotatably n'iountcd on said base plate, a support screwthreadedly engaged upon said standard and adjustable vertically through the rotation of said standard and extending to one side thereof, a transversely extending rod engaged centrally with the projecting position of said support, a transversely extending plate having its central portion secured in fix d engagement with the upper face of the projecting portion of said support. and valve spring engaging means adjustably SJPPOLfCtl upon said rod and adapted to be loclred to said transversely extending plate.

10. In an apparatus of the character deseri 30d, the combination of a base plate provided with a narrow tongue at its rearward end, a screw engaged through said tongue and providing for the levelling of said base plate, a screw-threaded standard rotatably mounted on said base plate, a support screw-tlircac .ly engaged upon said standard and adjustable vertically through the rotation of said standard and extending to one side thereof and having a body portion, said body portion being provided with a transverse aperture, a transverse supporting member engaged Within said aperture and projecting to eith r side thereof, a transverse rib upon the upper face of the projecting body portion of said support, a transversely extending plate provided with a longitudinally extending slot, a stud bolt projecting upwardly from the body portion of said support and adapted to slidably engage vvithin the slot of said plate, means on the upper end of said stud for locking said plate in adjusted position, a plurality of valve spring engaging members slidably engaged upon said transverse supporting member, and means associated with each of said spring engaging members for locking the same to said transversely extending plate.

Signed by me, this 9th day of October, 1924;.

WILLIAIVE rr. PFEIFFER. 

